Maricopa’s new city manager: Bitter
In a significant announcement, Maricopa’s City Council unanimously voted during a special meeting to appoint Benjamin “Ben” Bitter as the city’s next city manager, marking a significant transition slated for July 2024 when Rick Horst assumes a new role.
In a significant announcement, Maricopa’s City Council unanimously voted during a special meeting to appoint Benjamin “Ben” Bitter as the city’s next city manager, marking a significant transition slated for July 2024 when Rick Horst assumes a new role.
The decision to appoint Bitter, secured through a three-year contract, came after thorough deliberation and evaluation of exemplary candidates, reflecting the city’s commitment to sustained leadership and progress.
Councilmember Eric Goettl lauded the depth of leadership exhibited by the candidates, particularly noting Bitter’s comprehensive understanding and profound insights into the city’s affairs during the selection process.
The quest for a new city manager commenced in September following Horst’s announcement of transitioning to the role of chief strategy officer upon the conclusion of his contract next year. Mayor Nancy Smith highlighted the council’s diligent approach, initially exploring external candidates through hiring firms before recognizing the potential within the city’s internal talent pool.
“The collective vision and direction align closely with the current trajectory,” Mayor Smith emphasized, echoing sentiments shared by fellow councilmembers who lauded the depth of expertise and shared aspirations of internal candidates including Jennifer Brown, Assistant City Manager, and Deputy City Managers Matt Kozlowski and Benjamin Bitter.
Councilmember Henry Wade underscored the exceptional caliber of the in-house talent, endorsing the decision to promote from within given the wealth of experience and alignment with the city’s objectives.
Amidst the impressive array of candidates, Bitter’s past roles as city manager in Ashland, Kentucky, and as assistant to the town manager in Florence, coupled with his dedicated focus on transportation, stood out as pivotal factors in his selection.
Councilmember Vincent Manfredi emphasized Bitter’s grasp of Maricopa’s transportation needs, accentuating the collaborative synergy envisioned between Horst’s role in economic development and the incoming city manager’s emphasis on addressing transportation challenges.
The decision, albeit challenging, solidified Bitter’s appointment as the city’s new steward, while Brown and Kozlowski continue in their existing roles. The council unanimously acknowledged the trio’s commitment to unity, assuring cohesive efforts to propel Maricopa’s growth and sustain the established objectives.
Reflecting on the difficulty of the decision, Councilmember Bob Marsh highlighted the unity and synergistic rapport within the trio, reinforcing the council’s commitment to preserving a collaborative executive leadership.
The unanimous decision underscores Horst’s legacy of recruiting adept leaders in alignment with the city’s vision for precision, growth, and effective governance.
Mayor Smith emphasized Horst’s visionary impact, evident in the council’s interviews with the candidates, reinforcing the seamless transmission of the city’s vision to its executive leadership. The council expressed genuine appreciation for the invaluable contributions of each candidate, affirming their pivotal roles in Maricopa’s journey towards sustained progress and development.
